Folding wing assembly for cup forming machine

Abstract

A folding wing assembly for a cup forming machine is provided. The folding wing assembly comprises a left folding wing apparatus, a right folding wing apparatus, and independent controls for the left and right folding wing apparatuses. In one embodiment the independent controls are separate motors for each of the left and right folding wing apparatuses. Additionally, a controller is electrically connected to the left and right folding wing apparatuses. The controller stores drive profiles and sends the drive profiles to the left and right folding wing apparatuses to control the motion of the left and right folding wing apparatuses.

1 . A folding wing assembly for folding a sidewall for a paper cup around a mandrel, comprising: 
 a left folding wing apparatus having a left folding wing and a first motor to drive the left folding wing, and a right folding wing apparatus having a right folding wing and a second motor to drive the right folding wing.    
     
     
         2 . The folding wing assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller electrically connected to the motors to separately control drive profiles for the first and second motors.  
     
     
         3 . The folding wing assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller electrically connected to the motors to electronically control drive profiles for the first and second motors.  
     
     
         4 . The folding wing assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller electrically connected to the motors to electronically adjust drive parameters for the motors.  
     
     
         5 . The folding wing assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller electrically connected to the motors to electronically adjust a stop position of the folding wings.  
     
     
         6 . The folding wing assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller electrically connected to the motors, the controller having an input station to allow an operator to enter parameters for electronically controlling the first and second motors.  
     
     
         7 . The folding wing assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a first connector between the first motor and the left folding wing, and a second connector between the second motor and the right folding wing.  
     
     
         8 . The folding wing assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising a first crank arm connected between the first motor and the first connector, and a second crank arm connected between the second motor and the second connector.  
     
     
         9 . A folding wing assembly for folding a sidewall for a paper cup around a mandrel of a cup forming machine, the folding wing assembly comprising: 
 a left folding wing member, a right folding wing member, and independent controls for the left and right folding wing members.    
     
     
         10 . The folding wing assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the independent controls for the left and right folding wing members are separate motors for the left and right folding wing members.  
     
     
         11 . The folding wing assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the independent controls for the left and right folding wing members are separate drive profiles stored in a controller electrically connected to a drive for the left and right folding wing members.  
     
     
         12 . A folding wing assembly for folding a sidewall for a paper cup around a mandrel of a cup forming machine, the folding wing assembly comprising: 
 a left folding wing, a right folding wing, a drive mechanism mechanically connected to the left and right folding wings, and a controller electrically connected to the drive mechanism to independently control movement of the left and right folding wings.    
     
     
         13 . The folding wing assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a first motor connected to the left folding wing, and a second motor connected to the right folding wing.  
     
     
         14 . The folding wing assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the controller has an input station to allow an operator to enter parameters for electronically controlling the drive mechanism.  
     
     
         15 . A folding wing assembly for folding a sidewall for a paper cup around a mandrel of a cup forming machine, the folding wing assembly comprising: 
 a left folding wing that moves according to a left folding wing drive profile, a right folding wing that moves according to a right folding wing drive profile, and a controller operably connected to the folding wings, the controller electrically adjusting the left and right folding wing drive profiles.    
     
     
         16 . The folding wing assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising a left folding wing motor mechanically connected to the left folding wing, and a right folding wing motor mechanically connected to the right folding wing, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the left folding wing motor and the right folding wing motor.  
     
     
         17 . A folding wing assembly for folding a sidewall for a paper cup around a mandrel of a cup forming machine, the folding wing assembly comprising: 
 a left folding wing that moves according to a left folding wing drive parameters, a right folding wing that moves according to a right folding wing drive parameters, and a controller operably connected to the folding wings, the controller adjusting the left and right folding wing drive parameters.    
     
     
         18 . The folding wing assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising a left folding wing motor mechanically connected to the left folding wing, and a right folding wing motor mechanically connected to the right folding wing, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the left folding wing motor and the right folding wing motor.  
     
     
         19 . The folding wing assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising an input station electronically connected to the controller, the input station accepting parameters from an operator for electronically controlling the first and second motors.